Millie Hale Hospital

Millie E. Hale was born in Nashville on February 27, 1881. A graduate of Fisk University and the Graduate School for Nurses in New York City, she established the Millie E. Hale Hospital and Training School on July 1, 1916. One of the first health-care facilities for Nashvillians of African decent, it offered twelve beds and was staffed by Hale, who served as a registered nurse and superintendent, and two nurses. She was assisted by a small number of physicians. Her spouse, Dr. John Henry hale, a medical educator at Meharry Medical College, served as surgeon-in-chief. Continued: The Hales adapted their 14-room home into a prenatal and baby welfare clinic and a free dispensary clinic for adults. By 1923, the hospital included 100 beds, a number of doctors, and 26 nurses. Twenty-four women graduated from its Nurse Training Department and 25 women from various states were enrolled in the three-year nursing program by 1925. The hospital received recognition from the American College of Surgeons. On June 6, 1930, Millie E. Hale, nurse, social activist, and civic worker died in the hospital she founded. Eight years later it officially closed.